Are you hearing or using a lot of business jargon these days or is it just me? I know that over-used words and phrases catch my attention almost on a daily basis.

Once in a while in this blog, I take a look at some of these jargon words and examine what they really mean, because their meanings tend to get lost over time and with repeated usage.

I thought I would take a look at a pretty commonly used word this time: The word "challenge," especially versus using the word "problem." (As we move from 2009 to 2010, I thought the word challenge would be worth examining in terms of anticipating what's coming in the New Year, because when I think of 2010, I think it's going to be a exciting challenge!)

What's the difference between a problem and a challenge? Sometimes when we refer to a particular situation as a problem, we switch to calling it a challenge because the word problem seems to conjure up something that is causing trouble or creates a hassle. It has a negative connotation.

This is especially true when we are talking about data collection on projects. I think we balk at calling anything a problem when interacting with a client, within business consulting or any other kind of work done for clients, because we don't want the work to sound like a hassle for us or an impossibility. Instead, we refer to the missing data as a challenge that both parties can identify with and move toward resolving as a team.

Saying challenge instead of problem does seem more positive. The word challenge conjures up a more exciting picture than the word problem. Challenging something sounds more demanding, as if we are championing a cause or engaging in a particularly difficult or stimulating battle for our desired results.

To the contrary, the word problem sounds distasteful, even emotionless, as if it were a mathematical inquiry we were working on with a uniform solution that offers no room for creativity or excitement. On the other hand, saying something is a challenge seems to leave room for fresh ideas and new ways of operating and thinking.

Although the word challenge is a little over-used as jargon, I do believe it has its place. For instance, I would not call the coming New Year, 2010, anything except a challenge. 2010 is going to be a major year for many companies recovering from the Great Recession, and although 2009 definitely had it share of major, major problems, 2010 is going to be a year of challenges.

I think 2010 will also be defined by another word that is over-used but applies here very well: Opportunities.

So as 2009 closes, what kind of problems, challenges, and opportunities are you anticipating? I’m ready to meet the challenges head on. Happy New Year and don’t forget to Go!Go!Go!

Jim